Chelsea is a thriving neighborhood on the west side of Manhattan that has seen many groundbreaking developments. “The whole place is dynamic,” says Michael Johnson, licensed associate real estate broker at Compass and resident of Chelsea for 18 years. “You have everything from prewar townhouses to the new ‘starchitect’ condo buildings of West Chelsea, and amenities akin to nothing else with extraordinary green spaces and the city’s most vibrant art scene.” Home of the original stretch of the High Line park and a center for LGBTQ life, the area exemplifies the riotous blend of old and new in New York City.
Chelsea
Neighborhood in Manhattan, New York
New York County 10001, 10011
A housing market that runs the gamut
The neighborhood’s residential landscape is vast, encompassing a number of home options that include established co-op buildings, newer luxury condo towers and the landmarked townhouses of the Chelsea Historic District. It’s perhaps best known for its many remarkable residential buildings in West Chelsea, designed by some of the world’s top architects like Zaha Hadid, Jean Nouvel and Bjarke Ingels. Home prices fall along a broad spectrum and depend significantly on size, amenities and how recently a property has been renovated or built. Smaller co-ops in walk-up buildings can be had for under $500,000, while condos typically range from $750,000 to $9 million. In luxury buildings designed by top architects, condos can go for as much as $30 million. Historic Greek Revival and Italianate townhouses start at around $5 million. Chelsea also represents a diverse socio-economic landscape, with thousands of rental apartments and two large public housing complexes in the area.
Parks and recreation are cornerstones of Chelsea living
What was once an abandoned stretch of elevated railway track, the transformed High Line park is today one of the city’s most iconic public spaces. The project highlights the neighborhood's history as a bustling connection point for goods and services. Created on tracks that were raised in the early 20th century because of too many pedestrian deaths on 10th Avenue, the nearly 1.5-mile greenway features more than 500 species of perennials, grasses, shrubs, and trees. However, residents of the area see the path as more than a place for a casual stroll. “Many residents use the High Line as a means of transportation—a way to get to school or a way to get to work,” says Johnson. The park also hosts a variety of public programs, site-specific art installations, and interactive performances throughout the year. On the neighborhood’s far west side, the family-friendly Hudson River Park offers plenty of riverfront views and places to enjoy the sunset. It also features a children’s playground with a 64-foot slide, a nature-inspired skate park and a carousel. Chelsea Piers offers a wide array of both indoor and outdoor activities, including a driving range, rock wall and year-round skating rink.
Legendary shopping and dining options
Housed in a former biscuit factory, Chelsea Market has remained a draw for locals and visitors for over two decades. Along with gourmet bites, shoppers can find everything from fresh baked goods at Amy’s Bread to specialty grocery items from all over Asia at Pearl River Mart Foods. Trader Joe’s, Fairway Market and Whole Foods are local supermarket options. Chelsea is also known for having a robust restaurant scene. The retro-modern Empire Diner, with its craft cocktails and classic American fare, has been a neighborhood staple since 1976. It’s perhaps only overshadowed by El Quijote, the near decade-old Spanish bar and restaurant in the storied Hotel Chelsea -- once the home of Bob Dylan. For beers with a side of arcade games, residents can hit the original location of Barcade and try their hand at Ms. Pac-Man or pinball.
West Chelsea’s art scene
While Soho has a reputation as the center of NYC's contemporary art scene, Chelsea is the place where most of galleries have moved over the past few decades. More than 200 contemporary art galleries line the neighborhood's streets, with the majority spanning the area between West 19th and 26th streets, just west of the High Line. By exploring just a few blocks, it’s easy to get a pulse on what’s current in the art world. Gallerists range from the most established, like David Zwirner, Gagosian, and Pace Gallery, to some exciting newcomers like Nicola Vassell, and there are always more to come.
LGBTQ in Chelsea
Chelsea has long been a center of LGBTQ culture. The Church of the Holy Apostles hosted several groups that were influential in the early days of the gay rights movement in the 1960s and 1970s, and the neighborhood continues to showcase the community. The annual Pride March ends in Chelsea each year, with participants packing the streets for the entire weekend. Other events include the Chelsea Challenge, an adult hockey tournament for LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly players. Nightlife options are plentiful year-round, with many bars and clubs along 8th and 9th Avenues. For a quieter cocktail bar, Jungle Bird offers sophisticated mixed drinks and fancy jello shots. Residents looking to watch the game, can head to Boxers NYC or Gym Sportsbar.
A number of standout schools
There are several exceptional public schools in Chelsea. Among them is P.S. 11 Sarah J. Garnet Elementary School, a pre-K and elementary school that receives an A rating on Niche. Middle and high school students can attend Quest to Learn which receives a B rating on Niche and is notable for its innovative approach to learning. Also of note for its progressive educational approach is Avenues New York, a globally focused private school for toddlers to 12th-grade students.
Getting in and out of the area is easy—for the most part
Chelsea is accessible by several subway lines: the A, C, E and L at Eighth Avenue, the 1, 2, 3 at Seventh Avenue and the F, M and L at Sixth Avenue, with the New Jersey PATH train. Subway service extends only as far west as Eighth Avenue, but there are city buses that run crosstown to serve blocks closer to the river. Another way to get across town is to hop on a Citi Bike, with over a dozen stations throughout the neighborhood.



Agents Specializing in this Area
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Ken Laino
Manhattan Network Inc
(888) 618-6301
50 Total Sales
2 in Chelsea
$410K - $999K Price Range
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Dylan Hoffman
Compass
(646) 974-9914
182 Total Sales
10 in Chelsea
$400K - $3.1M Price Range
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Joe Davila
Sothebys International Realty
(862) 270-2157
29 Total Sales
2 in Chelsea
$630K - $651K Price Range
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Melissa Leifer
Keller Williams NYC
(888) 504-4756
100 Total Sales
1 in Chelsea
$1,100,000 Price
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Eileen Robert
Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC
(551) 205-5760
3 Total Sales
1 in Chelsea
$630,000 Price
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Wesley Stanton
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
(929) 552-0989
71 Total Sales
2 in Chelsea
$850K - $1.3M Price Range
Schools
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Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Chelsea | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 3 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
Robbery | 7 | 4 |
Burglary | 4 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
Larceny | 6 | 4 |
Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Chelsea, Manhattan sell after 158 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Chelsea, Manhattan over the last 12 months is $3,386,176, up 25% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Home Facts
Open Houses
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Sunday, Apr 272 - 3pm
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Sunday, Apr 2712 - 1pm
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Sunday, Apr 2712 - 2pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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